They are perfect for smoothies, smoothie bowls and even ice cream! Learn more about this popular yellow fruit, including the health benefits of bananas that will make you want to eat even more!
Bananas have always been the number one food: They are the most widely consumed fruit in the world!
According to a study, bananas are the favorite fruit of Europeans!
But should you really go crazy for bananas? According to science… YES!
Read on for a detailed overview of bananas, including the five health benefits of bananas and what makes our bananas special!
Did you know this about bananas.
– The word banana comes from the Arabic word "banan", which means finger (10-20 bananas are called a hand). The banana tree is not actually a tree – it is a large herb (it lacks woody stems. The stem is actually made up of tightly wrapped leaves). And the banana? It is technically a berry! Bananas grow in 150 countries. Account for about 75% of the tropical fruit trade. According to the United Nations, 18 million tons of bananas were exported in 2015 (half of which went to the U.S. and Europe). – Bananas also grow year-round, which probably explains why more than 100 MILLION bananas are consumed each year. – While there are over 1000 varieties of bananas, the most commonly sold banana variety is the Cavendish banana.
Banana: The yellow nutrient bomb
When you remove the yellow peel, you find a pale yellow, snail-shaped fruit (uhh… berry). Despite its inconspicuous appearance, a banana is very nutritious.
Pretty much everyone knows that bananas are a source of potassium, about 12% of your recommended daily intake. They also contain almost no fat and consist mainly of water and carbohydrates. This makes them the perfect portable pre- or post-workout snack.
Bananas are also good for the brain thanks to manganese. Manganese helps maintain a healthy brain at nearly 16% of your daily intake.
Vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants like catechins and dopamine round out the banana's nutritional profile.
5 benefits of bananas you should know about
BANANA BENEFIT #1 – BANANAS ARE A SOURCE OF ENERGY
Since bananas are mostly carbohydrates or fast-releasing sugars (don't worry, the sugar in bananas isn't bad for you!), they are a source of quick energy.
After you work out or work up a sweat, your body uses these carbohydrates to build and repair muscle (this is why banana is included in our Muscle Power Mix!).
BANANAS ADVANTAGE #2 – BANANAS ARE GOOD FOR DIGESTION
There's a reason bananas are part of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), if anyone (especially kids) has digestive ies like diarrhea. This is because bananas are easily digestible and can replenish electrolytes.
Bananas also contain dietary fiber, especially pectin and resistant starch. Fiber has many health benefits, ranging from promoting a healthy gut to preventing constipation. However, the resistant starch in bananas can be especially beneficial for gut bacteria.
BANANA BENEFIT #3 – BANANAS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR KIDNEYS
Do you remember that bananas are full of potassium?? It's good news for your kidneys!
In 2005, researchers collected data from 61.000 Swedish women between the ages of 40 and 76. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that women who ate bananas two to three times a week reduced their risk of developing kidney disease by 33%.
Similar studies found that eating bananas 4-6 times a week reduced risk by HALF.
BANANA BENEFIT #4 – BANANAS SUPPORT YOUR HEART HEALTH
You need another reason to love bananas? They're good for your heart!
Again, the potassium in bananas plays an important role in heart health. Potassium carries a small electrical charge that causes nerve cells to send signals so the heart beats regularly and muscles contract.
Potassium also helps control blood prere. And people who consume more potassium lower their risk of heart disease by more than 25% and their risk of stroke by 21%.
BANANA BENEFIT #5 – BANANAS CAN IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
When we need an instant mood booster, we usually turn to our Chocolate Lover Mix. But bananas can also help!
Bananas contain the amino acid tryptophan, which produces serotonin. Serotonin is a natural mood stabilizer that has been shown to reduce depression and regulate anxiety.
What makes Your Super's banana powder special?
We source the bananas you'll find in our Energy Bomb and Muscle Power Mix from an organic banana farm in Peru.
Why organic bananas?
It's true that bananas are not on the EWG's "dirty twelve" list – the list of foods with the most pesticide residues. When conventionally grown bananas were tested for pesticides by the USDA in 2012, only 4 fungicides were detected.
According to the EWG, "industrial banana farming is pesticide-intensive because bananas are grown in massive monocultures with no crop rotation." This makes plants susceptible to pests and diseases.
And while the thick skin protects bananas from most pesticides, the farmers who spray them are not protected. By sourcing organically grown bananas that don't contain pesticides or harmful sprays, it's better for farmers and their health (not to mention the health of the soil).